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Endgame (Babylon 5)
Encyclopedia
"Endgame" is an episode from the fourth season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5
.
launches a final battle to liberate Earth.
The episode opens with Marcus
watching over the terminally injured Ivanova
who is about to be transferred back to Babylon 5 before the final battle against Earth. Though Marcus protests, arguing that Ivanova would want to be present for the final battle, Delenn tells him that she will be more comfortable and safe on the station. Meanwhile, on Mars
, Franklin and Lyta oversee the mission to transfer thirty Shadow
-modified telepaths on an Earth fleet orbiting Mars while Garibaldi leads a strike team to secure the storage depot supplying the fleet.
Onboard his former ship, the EAS Agamemnon
, Sheridan prepares his forces to attack the fleet orbiting Mars so that he will not be outflanked when attacking Earth. Aboard the EAS Apollo
, General Robert Lefcourt
commands the Earth-loyalist fleet. In a discussion with the Apollos captain, he reveals that he fights out of duty to Earth, not out of personal loyalty to President Clark
, and because he taught Sheridan and understands his tactical style.
In a coordinated attack, Garibaldi transmits jump coordinates to Marcus' White Star which jumps into the Martian atmosphere to attack ground targets. The loyalist fleet initially turns to attack Mars, but Lefcourt recognizes this as a diversionary tactic and orders the fleet to hold position. Sheridan's fleet jumps into Mars-space with instructions for only the Earth ships and White Stars to engage the loyalist fleet, while ships from the League of Non-Aligned Worlds
, Minbari
, Centauri
, and Narn
fleets provide tactical support without taking the offensive. The loyalist fleet prepares to engage, but many of the ships are suddenly disabled and dead in space. Lyta has telepathically awakened the telepaths
that have been smuggled onto the fleet which have merged with the computer systems of the fleet, disabling them. Sheridan engages those ships not disabled by the telepaths, destroying engines and weapons systems to avoid killing their crews. He orders the White Stars and his Earth ships to jump to Earth while the remainder of the fleet stays behind to secure the disabled destroyers and assist with repair and recovery as needed. Onboard the Apollo, Lefcourt determines that they must be the victim of sabotage. They quickly discover the telepath disrupting their systems, kill him, and begin repairs.
While en-route to Earth, Marcus examines medical records from Babylon 5 to try and determine if there has been any discovery which might help save Ivanova's life. He discovers a record of the alien healing machine discovered in "The Quality of Mercy
". He abandons the fleet and sets course for Babylon 5.
Sheridan cannot divert his attention from the mission at hand, and proceeds to jump into Earth-space. He broadcasts a stirring speech calling for the people to rise up and arrest President Clark, disband Nightwatch, and restore democracy.
Here's the speech as it follows:
Emboldened, people led by Earth Senator Crosby walk to President Clark's office. Clark activates the planetary defense grid which begins to engage Sheridan's fleet. As people begin beating at his door, Clark commits suicide using a PPG
, leaving behind a cryptic suicide note that eventually translates as "scorched earth
". Before killing himself, Clark turns the defense platforms towards Earth. The defense platforms are capable of destroying 40% of the planet's surface. When relayed the information, Sheridan quickly orders all ships to destroy the platforms. He calls in Delenn
, who arrives with the combined fleet to assist.
Ships of every race engage the defense platforms, destroying many but taking significant casualties. The Agamemnon is severely damaged in the attack, losing weapons capability. One of the few remaining platforms begins to power up targeting the eastern seaboard of the United States. With no nearby ship capable of destroying the platform, Sheridan orders ramming speed. The Agamemnon speeds towards the platform when at the last moment the Apollo emerges from hyperspace and destroys the platform. Having seen Clark turn the defense platforms against Earth, Lefcourt welcomes Sheridan home.
Interstellar Network News
resumes normal transmissions with the reporter last seen on the air when ISN was taken over by forces loyal to Pres. Clark
and have been stuck for years as a propaganda
machine, overcome with emotion, as she welcomes back their viewers and reports on the events of the past hours, alluding as well to her imprisonment and those of other colleagues.
While Sheridan prepares to meet with members of the restored Earth Alliance government, Franklin commands a White Star returning to Babylon 5. He has learned of Marcus' discovery of the alien healing device and is attempting to stop him. In fact, he is too late. Marcus uses the machine to transfer his life energy to Ivanova. Close to death, he tells an unconscious Ivanova that he loves her.
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
.
Synopsis
John SheridanJohn Sheridan (Babylon 5)
John J. Sheridan is a lead character in the fictional universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Bruce Boxleitner. For most of the series, he is the commander of the Babylon 5 station; during the series' final season he is the President of the Interstellar...
launches a final battle to liberate Earth.
The episode opens with Marcus
Marcus Cole
Marcus Cole, played by Jason Carter, is a fictional character in the universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5. He was a regular in the third and fourth seasons of the show...
watching over the terminally injured Ivanova
Susan Ivanova
Susan Ivanova is a fictional character in the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Claudia Christian.-Character overview:...
who is about to be transferred back to Babylon 5 before the final battle against Earth. Though Marcus protests, arguing that Ivanova would want to be present for the final battle, Delenn tells him that she will be more comfortable and safe on the station. Meanwhile, on Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
, Franklin and Lyta oversee the mission to transfer thirty Shadow
Shadow (Babylon 5)
The Shadows are a fictional alien species in the science fiction television series Babylon 5. Their homeworld is Z'ha'dum. In contrast to the Vorlons, whose philosophy is represented by the question "Who are you?", that of the Shadows is represented by the question "What do you want?", centering...
-modified telepaths on an Earth fleet orbiting Mars while Garibaldi leads a strike team to secure the storage depot supplying the fleet.
Onboard his former ship, the EAS Agamemnon
EAS Agamemnon
EAS Agamemnon is fictional starship in the science fiction series Babylon 5. The Agamemnon is an Earth Alliance Omega class destroyer...
, Sheridan prepares his forces to attack the fleet orbiting Mars so that he will not be outflanked when attacking Earth. Aboard the EAS Apollo
EAS Apollo
The EAS Apollo is an Earthforce Omega class destroyer starship in the Babylon 5 universe. She was named for the god Apollo of Greek mythology. The Apollo was seen in the episode Endgame under the command of General Robert Lefcourt. The ship functioned as the Earthforce flagship during the last...
, General Robert Lefcourt
General Robert Lefcourt
General Robert Lefcourt is a fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, portrayed by J. Patrick McCormack.- Babylon 5: In the Beginning :...
commands the Earth-loyalist fleet. In a discussion with the Apollos captain, he reveals that he fights out of duty to Earth, not out of personal loyalty to President Clark
Morgan Clark
William Morgan Clark is a fictional character and a major antagonist from the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, portrayed by Gary McGurk. His character rarely appeared on-screen, but is a major off-screen presence in the show....
, and because he taught Sheridan and understands his tactical style.
In a coordinated attack, Garibaldi transmits jump coordinates to Marcus' White Star which jumps into the Martian atmosphere to attack ground targets. The loyalist fleet initially turns to attack Mars, but Lefcourt recognizes this as a diversionary tactic and orders the fleet to hold position. Sheridan's fleet jumps into Mars-space with instructions for only the Earth ships and White Stars to engage the loyalist fleet, while ships from the League of Non-Aligned Worlds
League of Non-Aligned Worlds
The League of Non-Aligned Worlds was a fictional collection of races in the Babylon 5 universe.The League of Non-Aligned Worlds was a loose confederation of independent worlds and minor species, most of whom had endured subjugation under the Centauri Republic at its height...
, Minbari
Minbari
The Minbari are a fictional alien race featured in the television show Babylon 5. The Minbari characters of Delenn and Lennier figure prominently throughout the series; Neroon, Draal, and Dukhat are less prominent Minbari characters....
, Centauri
Centauri (Babylon 5)
The Centauri are a humanoid species in the fictional universe of the Babylon 5 television series. They were the first alien species to make open contact with the human race. Their homeworld is Centauri Prime, a small Earth-like planet consisting of two large continents and several smaller islands...
, and Narn
Narn
The Narn are a fictional alien race in the universe of the Babylon 5 television series. Their homeworld is also called Narn.-Homeworld:Narn is the homeworld of the Narn and the Narn Regime. Its day is 31 hours long. Prior to the Centauri's first invasion, Narn was a healthy green planet. Now it...
fleets provide tactical support without taking the offensive. The loyalist fleet prepares to engage, but many of the ships are suddenly disabled and dead in space. Lyta has telepathically awakened the telepaths
Ship of Tears
Ship of Tears is an episode from the third season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:Bester returns to Babylon 5 and proposes an unlikely alliance....
that have been smuggled onto the fleet which have merged with the computer systems of the fleet, disabling them. Sheridan engages those ships not disabled by the telepaths, destroying engines and weapons systems to avoid killing their crews. He orders the White Stars and his Earth ships to jump to Earth while the remainder of the fleet stays behind to secure the disabled destroyers and assist with repair and recovery as needed. Onboard the Apollo, Lefcourt determines that they must be the victim of sabotage. They quickly discover the telepath disrupting their systems, kill him, and begin repairs.
While en-route to Earth, Marcus examines medical records from Babylon 5 to try and determine if there has been any discovery which might help save Ivanova's life. He discovers a record of the alien healing machine discovered in "The Quality of Mercy
The Quality of Mercy (Babylon 5)
"The Quality of Mercy" is an episode from the first season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. The title is from a quote from the beginning of Portia's oration in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, Act IV, scene one.-Synopsis:...
". He abandons the fleet and sets course for Babylon 5.
Sheridan cannot divert his attention from the mission at hand, and proceeds to jump into Earth-space. He broadcasts a stirring speech calling for the people to rise up and arrest President Clark, disband Nightwatch, and restore democracy.
Here's the speech as it follows:
Emboldened, people led by Earth Senator Crosby walk to President Clark's office. Clark activates the planetary defense grid which begins to engage Sheridan's fleet. As people begin beating at his door, Clark commits suicide using a PPG
Phased plasma gun
The Phased Plasma Gun is a fictional weapon from the television series Babylon 5. It fires a small charge of superheated helium. This gas retains both its shape and small volume via a residual magnetic field. Upon impact with an object, the magnetic field is dissipated and the heat discharged...
, leaving behind a cryptic suicide note that eventually translates as "scorched earth
Scorched earth
A scorched earth policy is a military strategy or operational method which involves destroying anything that might be useful to the enemy while advancing through or withdrawing from an area...
". Before killing himself, Clark turns the defense platforms towards Earth. The defense platforms are capable of destroying 40% of the planet's surface. When relayed the information, Sheridan quickly orders all ships to destroy the platforms. He calls in Delenn
Delenn
Delenn is a fictional lead character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Mira Furlan.-Overview:Delenn, an alien ambassador and leader from the planet Minbar, is one of the pivotal characters in Babylon 5....
, who arrives with the combined fleet to assist.
Ships of every race engage the defense platforms, destroying many but taking significant casualties. The Agamemnon is severely damaged in the attack, losing weapons capability. One of the few remaining platforms begins to power up targeting the eastern seaboard of the United States. With no nearby ship capable of destroying the platform, Sheridan orders ramming speed. The Agamemnon speeds towards the platform when at the last moment the Apollo emerges from hyperspace and destroys the platform. Having seen Clark turn the defense platforms against Earth, Lefcourt welcomes Sheridan home.
Interstellar Network News
Interstellar Network News
Interstellar Network News is a fictional TV news network in the Babylon 5 universe. ISN's motto is The Galaxy's Most Important Network. ISN was modelled on real-world news outlets, such as CNN....
resumes normal transmissions with the reporter last seen on the air when ISN was taken over by forces loyal to Pres. Clark
Severed Dreams
"Severed Dreams" is an episode from the third season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. It won the 1997 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.-Synopsis:...
and have been stuck for years as a propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
machine, overcome with emotion, as she welcomes back their viewers and reports on the events of the past hours, alluding as well to her imprisonment and those of other colleagues.
While Sheridan prepares to meet with members of the restored Earth Alliance government, Franklin commands a White Star returning to Babylon 5. He has learned of Marcus' discovery of the alien healing device and is attempting to stop him. In fact, he is too late. Marcus uses the machine to transfer his life energy to Ivanova. Close to death, he tells an unconscious Ivanova that he loves her.
Arc significance
- Sheridan's forces attack Mars and Earth, disabling the fleet and preventing Clark from destroying Earth.
- Clark kills himself before he can be arrested.
- Marcus has returned to Babylon 5 after learning of the Alien Healing Device.
- The Earth Civil War has ended with President Clark committing suicide.
External links
- Endgame at The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5 is a fan-run website that includes detailed episode guides and analyses, production history notes, background materials, references, and other information related to the science fiction epic, Babylon 5...